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Sustainable actions in the MICE industry in Reykjavik

Meet in Reykjavik is a founding partner of Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS-index). The GDS-index was created to help Destinations, Convention Bureaus, Event Planners and Suppliers drive the adoption and recognition of sustainable practices in their city and in the global events industry.

Reykjavik has a GDS-Index benchmarking score of 79% while the global avererage is 59%.

The score for each Benchmarking category is as follows

Environmental performance: 85% (global average is 71%).

Social performance: 86% (global average is 93%)

Supplier performance: 68% (global average is 62%).

CVB performance: 81% ( global average is 42%)

Suppliers Performance

Donation program for foodSubvention for Mothers is an association of women that supports those in need by allocating food and clothes. If you would like to support the association with donation, please feel free to contact them through their website: http://www.maedur.is/senda-framlag there you can fill out the blue form on the bottom of the page. Please note that the page is in Icelandic.

Example:Radisson Blu Saga supports the Subvention for Mothers with yearly Christmas bingo where partners join in and give donations to the association.

Donation program for leftover materialThe good Shepard (Góði hirðirinn) is a second hand market for used goods run by Sorpa. Profits go to charities, for example the Subvention for Mothers, Salvation Army, Red Cross and many more. There are special market containers at all Sorpa´s recycling centers. Donations of fabric and shoes are given to the Red Cross containers, also located in Sorpa´s recycling centers.

Sustainability Certified DMC´s and PCO´s with more than seven employees

Iceland Travel

Reykjavik Incentives

Grayline Incentives

Arctic Adventures

Icelandic Mountain

Mountaineers of Iceland

Nordic Visitor

DMC Incentive Travel

Examples:Icelandic Mountain Guides - 2009 Icelandic Tourist Board´s environmental awards. 2011 Nominated for the Nordic Council Nature and Environment prize and participated in an international innovation project for the tourism industry, led by "Nordisk Innovation" In 2011 their expert views and suggestions were sought in the creation of Vakinn, the Icelandic quality and environmental system. They have followed the World Wildlife Fund Principle for Arctic Tourism for the past 15 years and have taken part in various small efforts with local communities concerning innovative sustainable solutions. In 2012 the company received the Conch Environmental award (Kuðungurinn) from the Environmental Ministry of Iceland - for being a leading company in nature friendly tourism in Iceland, driven by their interest in nature and their caring for the environment (e.g. FINECO in south Iceland) https://www.mountainguides.is/about-us/responsible-tourism/environmental-awards/

Iceland Travel offers you to connect with Iceland in a unique way. They offer groups in co-operation with the Icelandic Forest Service to plant a tree in a protected grove near Geysir. Guests in your programe can connect with the Icelandic nature and help to preserve the native landscape while simultaneously fight against rising CO2.

Certified Hotels/conference hotels

Icelandair Reykjavik Marina - ISO 14001

Icelandair Reykjavik Natura - ISO 14001

Hilton Reykjavik Nordica - ISO 14001

Reykjavik Marina Residence - in process of obtaining ISO 14001

Best Western - Vakinn (Icelandic quality and environmental system)

Fosshotel Reykjavikur - Vakinn and in the process of obtaining the Green Key

Examples:Icelandair hotels are dedicated towards environmental protection and the hotel chain operates according to the ISO 14001, international environmental management standard.

Icelandair hotels focuses not only on preserving the environment but as well the social responsibility by supporting Landsbjörg, the National rescue team and the National Cancer Society.

Grand Hotel Reykjavik conforms with the Nordic Ecolabelling criteria for hotels as well as offering certified organic products, at the breakfast buffet and in meeting packages for conferences and groups.

Harpa Concert Hall and Conference CentreHarpa is believed to be one of the most eco-friendly conference centre in the world. The building was designed to use mostly natural light through its glass facade, which covers three of the four sides of the building and results in significant reduction in power consumption. All those who were chosen to operate within Harpa have sustainability as one of their main goals. Both restaurants and catering services use mainly local produce and follow strict recycling standards. Harpa´s green policy consists of the following; Nearly all energy consumed in Icelandic households and businesses comes from clean renewable hydroelectric and geothermal energy sources. Harpa is connected to the Icelandic power grid, which has one of the highest uptime in the world. The water used in Harpa comes from water reserves located on the outskirts of Reykjavík. The water is of the highest quality and no treatment is required before it is distributed to consumers. The facade is made of glass, resulting in reduction in lighting cost. All waste in Harpa is sorted and all recyclable waste is recycled. All detergents used in Harpa have the Swan label, a well-known ecolabelling used in the Nordic countries.

FlightsIcelandair has adopted an environmental policy. Icelandair is committed to reduce carbon emissions from air travel and neutral growth by 2020 and support IATA´s goal of zero emissions by 2050. Icelandair have greener aircrafts and navigation system and their offices use electricity from 100% renewable resources.

RestaurantsIn Iceland you find high class restaurants offering fresh first class products locally sourced. Vegan and organic food are easily accessible and at Haust Restaurant the Head chef picks himself fresh herbs and rhubarb from the garden.

Transportation Whether you want to travel around Iceland by bus or see the unspoiled wildlife at sea. Thinking about the environment while traveling is easily done by using our certified tour operators.

Examples:Reykjavik Incentives are certified with ISO 14001 and Vakinn, the Icelandic quality and environmental system. Grayline Incentives are certified with Vakinn and are in the process of obtaining ISO 14001. Using 7% biodiesel in their fuel and working on decreasing their use of fuel and have signed a climate agreement.

Whale watchingElding Adventure at Sea operates on maintaining balance and base their work on the standards given by the EarthCheck, Blue Flag as well as the IceWhales´s guidelines.

Blue LagoonBlue Lagoon is based upon an amazing gift of nature: the unique source of geothermal seawater. Therefore everything Blue Lagoon does is driven by a respect for the natural environment. Blue Lagoon is proud to be a leading company in terms of green thinking and to be 100% powered by clean geothermal energy. The Blue Lagoon is certified by VAKINN according to the following standards for Travel service and Restaurant – Café to insure the highest quality of service to their customers. The Blue Lagoon is also certified by the BLUE FLAG, an environmental certification awarded to castal or inland water environments that meet stringent quality standard.

Social performance

Meet in Reykjavik aims to implement best practices regarding social performance within the MICE industry as according to our commitment and vision. Iceland ranks #16 of 187 countries in the Human development Index 2015